Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-23
FROM THE SOUTH.
What the Railroads are
Doing for California.
PROSPERITY EVERYWHERE.

PROSPERITY EVERYWHERE.
San Luis Obisp0-San Juan-by-the-
Sea-Pasadena-An Era of
Development.
The growth and substantial devel-
opment of the lower portions of the
State are matters Of daily increasing
wonder. Charles E. Fairbank, of the
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul
railway, has just returned from an
extended tour all through the south
ern country, and he is more than en-
thusiastic in regard to the future Of
that section of California. In conver-
sation with an Alta repo rter yerterday,
he said: "It will be some time
before the railroad is completed
from Templeton to San Luis
Obispo, as there is much heavy work
to be done, including tunneling. The
town of San Luis Obispo has already
felt the impetus of the approach Of
the railroad, and extensive operations
are in progress there, notably those
inspired by Goodall, Perkins and
others. These gentlemen are build
ing an addition Immediately at the
north and east of the town. Among
the improvements planned by them
is the terracing of the sugar
loaf hill just outside the town, where
it is the ultimate intention to erect =
mammoth hotel or villas. From that
point and running to the northwest
along the foothills an extension has
been plated for an addition to the
town, which addition will, in q meas
ure, be new town. The elevations
are considerably above the old town.
San Luis Obispo will, ere long, assert
its claim as q natural distributing
point. Already the foundations are
being laid for costly hotel.
"The towns along the Pacific Coast
Railway show considerable activity in
business, and their futures will be
prosperous because the railway runs
through fertile and productive
valley. ~
"There is still a distance of about
fifty miles between Los Alamos and
Santa Barbara which must be travelled
by stage. There has recently been
noted in Santa Barbara much greater
activity in real estate and improve
ments. Santa Barbara is, you might
say, seaside resort in q more for
ward condition than any Of the
numerous similar points along the
line of the Southern Pacific.
1.-THE valley between Ventura and
Newhall is dotted with embryotic
towns, some of which give token of
becoming of more or less commercial
importance. AT Los Angeles there is
already very considerable influx of
Eastern people, and there appears but
little abatement in speculation in real
estate. Substantial improvements of
all kinds is under way or projected.
The principal sales of real estate ef-
fected in Los Angeles seem 10 be in
lots and tracts of land throughout the
entire area of the Southern
country. The air is full Of talk
about projected lines, both transcon-
tinental and local. The latter being
projected lines to connect with vari-
Gus points on the Santa Fe system.
The most important of the local lines
is the one now being constructed from
Santa Ana to San Diego by way Of
Capistrano and San Juan-by-the-Sea
The country which this road will trav-
erse g worth more than a pass
ing mention. Soon after leav-
ing Santa Ana the road passes
through very extensive fiat
valley, a portion of the famous San
Joaquin Rancho. which frequent ru-
mors, have sold again and again
to syndicates and railroad corpora
tions. This valley in general appear
ance somewha resembles the country
surrounding San Jose and Santa Clara.
Leaving the valley the road winds
among rounded hills, covered with a
luxuriant growth OF wild mustard.
San Juan Capistrano is the seat OF the
old mission of that name, founded in
1776, and was once a very extensive
establishment. Tie main church
building is in ruins, having been de-
stro, ed by an earthquake i'll 1905.
when forty-five people were killed by
the falling masonry. Services are still
held in one portion Of the building,
and the old Moorish arches in the
courtyard, 400 feet on each eide, are
yet standing.
"On the beach about three miles
from San Juan Capistrano is located
the proposed new town of the Atchi-
son, Topeka g. Santa Fe Railway, San
Juan by the Sea. The valley land
back of it is exceedingly rich, all va
rieties of fruit growing side by side
with the choicest oranges. There are
several walnut groves i'll the neigh
borhood which yield handsome in
comes. Major Bonebrake not long
since paid S45, 900 for a walnut grove
and proposes to make his home
within it.
Observation-Disclosures has beach
frontage OF from two hundred to three
hundred yards, and sea-bathing can
be INDUCED in the year round, the
water being delightfully."- warm and
no dangerous undertow existing.
Reservoirs are completed both on the
mesa lands and in the valley with
supplies sufficient for large city.
The foundation for hotel is now be-
ing excavated and tall tower is being
erected. Appearances would indicate
that San-Juan-by-the-Sea will be a
formidable competitor OF the Southern
Pacific seaside resorts. The town is
equidistant from San Diego and Los
Angeles and in country full OF grow
ing towns and cities.
Pasadena is town OF wonderful
progress. The business portion pos
, sesses houses of substantial character
and the brick block in which the First
National Bank is located would be an
( ornament to any city. To give an